Know Your Role

by Kwaamia Gray

We are not born with a culture. We must grow and develop. Our parents, teachers, peers, and siblings are those who help and influence our culture. This is socialization. During this process we are taught the language and the roles we are expected to play in life. For example, a girl learning to became a mother and a wife or something occupational such as a nurse. We are also taught and embrace the norms of the culture. We learn our rights from our wrongs. For example, in some cultures it’s not ok to have sex before marriage. Our parents usually have the most influence on us because they are our main teachers who are there from the beginning. They choose where we live, what schools we attend, and the activities we join in for the most part. Socialization can be described as a molding method. What we are and who we become depends on the people we interact or socialize with. The people around us may influence the beliefs and attitudes we have about certain things.

Role Models (2008) is a comedy film about two associates, Danny and Wheeler, who are ordered to complete 150 hours of community service working with a Big Brother Little Brother program. One underlying theme of this movie could be socialization.  Danny and Wheeler are placed with two boys. Their job is to mold them into what the society would agree to be successful men. Danny and Wheeler’s roles are to be examples of what these little boys should want to become. The title of the movie describes it all. These boys could be describes as deviant because they will not conform to the standards of the culture. The standardized things are what make up the norms we live by.

Socialization is a life-long learning process. With age come new statuses that we will need to know the roles of. Our experiences throughout our lives will eventually help us to socialize even more and help others socialize as well. Experiences help teach lessons and most of the time revise our expectations and beliefs. Take a rape victim, for instance, they may not feel worthy or even will not be able to trust anyone. Different cultures different people, but everyone knows their role.